Work will begin on revitalization

By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Motorists will find detours and dead ends as work starts next week on downtown revitalization.
The first phase, which will include replacing streets, sidewalks, light fixtures, traffic signals and creating more parking, will close a three-block section of East Washington Street, from Kennedy Square to North Mill Street. South Mill Street, which closed last fall, will remain closed.
The work is expected to start Wednesday and take about three months, said John DiMuccio, city administrator.
Traffic changes: DiMuccio said building owners have been informed and the city is making some changes in traffic flow to accommodate businesses during the work.
Changes include:
UMaking Mercer Street two ways.
U Changing the direction of Market Street to go east one-way.
UOpening Water Street to two-way traffic.
UMaking access in and out of People's Bank from Mercer Street. The parking lot now exits onto a portion of East Washington Street that will be closed.
UMaking access in and out of the city parking lot across from People's Bank also from Mercer Street. It also has its current access on East Washington Street.
cioffi@vindy.com